The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Edo State Chapter, has demanded an immediate suspension of pharmacy enforcement operations by the Edo State Consumer Protection Committee, accusing the agency of conducting unlawful raids, arresting practitioners, seizing pharmaceutical products and shutting down facilities without demonstrating its legal authority.
The professional body is also demanding the release of pharmacists allegedly detained during the operations and the refund of monies it claims were collected from practitioners without a valid legal basis, escalating a dispute over who has the statutory authority to inspect and regulate pharmacy premises in the state.
The demands were made during a press briefing in Benin City by the PSN leadership, led by its Edo State Chairman, Dr Chris Oisakede, who challenged the committee, headed by Osaro Iyamu, popularly known as Osaro Culture, to publicly disclose the legal instrument establishing it, its terms of reference and the specific laws authorising it to inspect pharmacies, seize medicines, seal premises and impose fines.
Oisakede maintained that pharmacy practice in Nigeria is governed by federal legislation and that specialised regulatory responsibilities cannot be assumed by a state consumer-protection body without clearly established statutory powers.
The pharmacists argued that while they support efforts to protect residents from fake, counterfeit, adulterated, substandard and expired medicines, enforcement activities must be carried out by legally authorised institutions and competent personnel, following established professional procedures.
They therefore called on Governor Monday Okpebholo and the Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, to urgently intervene and demand an explanation from the committee over the legal authority under which the reported operations were conducted.
The PSN’s position comes amid a public disagreement between the pharmacists and the Consumer Protection Committee over alleged entries into pharmaceutical premises, intimidation of practitioners, seizures of medicines and the closure of pharmacy facilities.
However, the committee’s chairman, Osaro Iyamu, has defended the enforcement activities, citing Section 8 of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act as the legal basis for the operations.
Iyamu argued that the provision empowers enforcement officials to enter premises where there are reasonable grounds to suspect violations, inspect products and their packaging, take samples for examination, seize suspected counterfeit or adulterated drugs and seal premises connected with offences.
He also dismissed questions about his professional qualifications, maintaining that identifying fake, expired and adulterated products requires appropriate training and knowledge.
The disagreement has brought the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Act 2022 into focus. The federal law assigns the PCN responsibility for regulating pharmacy practice and business in Nigeria, including the inspection, approval and licensing of pharmaceutical premises. It also provides for the appointment of Pharmaceutical Inspection Officers and outlines their inspection and enforcement powers.
The central issue now is how the powers cited by the Consumer Protection Committee relate to the federal regulatory framework and whether the specific operations carried out in Edo complied with all applicable legal requirements.
The PSN has maintained that consumer protection must not come at the expense of professional standards, due process and the rule of law. It reaffirmed its willingness to support the state government’s public health agenda but insisted that enforcement actions against pharmacies must be supported by verifiable evidence and lawful procedures.
The society’s demands place pressure on the Edo State Government to clarify the committee’s mandate, address the allegations surrounding the enforcement operations and establish the appropriate framework for collaboration between consumer-protection authorities and recognised pharmaceutical regulators.
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